Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth
Contact Us
Site Map
 
 
 

 
Education

The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth places a special emphasis on education.  Through Japan‑in‑a‑Suitcase — a traveling, interactive educational program — the Society reaches over 2,500 school children per year, opening young minds to another culture. Further, the Japan‑America Society gives cultural presentations at libraries, community organizations, and international festivals.

 Education photos

 Japan-in-a-Suitcase - 2010-2011 Flyer (PDF)
Japan‑in‑a‑Suitcase is a traveling educational program that introduces American children from Pre-K to 6th Grade to Japanese people, cultural traditions, and contemporary life. A native Japanese person will come to your classroom with a suitcase of Japanese objects. Students will experience Japan beyond books and the Internet. The Society offers three topics designed to meet the TEKS requirements for each grade level.

Choose from the following topics based on grade level:

 

Kamishibai: Traditional Japanese Storytelling (Pre K–1st)

Includes an engaging Japanese folktale with picture cards, cotton kimono demonstration, and Japanese song (Pre-K) or origami activity (K-1st)


 

School Life in Japan (2nd-3rd)

Did you know that Japanese school children clean their own classrooms? Why isn't there a cafeteria in most Japanese schools? Find out the answers to these questions and hear about a typical school day in Japan. Students will also learn to write in Japanese with a calligraphy pen.

 

Daily Life in Japan (4th-6th)

Why are there shoes at just inside the entrance to houses in Japan? Where do Japanese people sleep if there are no beds in the bedroom? Learn more about Japanese homes, food, entertainment, transportation, and money. Students will also have the opportunity to practice Japanese tea ceremony.


 All presentations include:

  • Introduction to Japan's geography
     

    •

  • Basic Japanese words & greetings
     

  • Oral presentation with photos & objects
     

  • Hands-on activity
     

  • Teacher resource materials

The program encourages students to: 1) Learn the geographic location and features of Japan and its relation to the United States; 2) Practice simple words and phrases in Japanese; 3) Compare and contrast Japanese and American lifestyles and traditions; and 4) Develop an awareness and appreciation of a different culture and inter-cultural relations. 

 

Meet our Presenters

 

                

Name: Mamiko Abe
Hometown: Hyogo, Japan
JIS Presenter since 2008

   Name: Mihoko Ishikawa
Hometown: Nagasaki, Japan
JIS Presenter since 2008

ArtsPartners
 Japan-in-a-Suitcase is an approved program of Arts Partners, an initiative of the City of Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission and the Dallas Public Schools to facilitate schools' participation in educational programs offered by local arts and cultural institutions.
Guidelines:

  • Maximum class size – 25 students per class, in your classroom

  • Designed for a 50-minute class period

  • Maximum of 3 presentations per school visit

  • Between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm

  • Teacher must be present at all times during the presentation

  • $50 per presentation

  • More than a 1-hour break will be charged as an extra presentation

Reservations:
 Artreach Booking Service - 214-219-2049 / jackiwomack@swbell.net

 Teacher Resources:
If you have already made a reservation, please use use the following documents as resources before your scheduled class visit:

Kamishibai: Traditional Japanese Storytelling Materials (PDF)

 

School Life in Japan Materials (PDF)

 

Daily Life in Japan Materials (PDF)